When asked about what First Responders look for in a flashlight, Galls Merchandiser Chris Price was quick to answer:
“The difference between a flashlight for a First Responder versus a flashlight for a general consumer comes down to reliability. They have to be able to trust that their light is going to work. It’s not just a flashlight, it’s potentially a lifesaving tool that absolutely must function when it’s needed.”
Good Duty Lights cover the basics:
- They will get you through your shift without fully draining the battery
- They deliver adequate beam strength and throw
- Should provide up to a couple of years of reliable use
- Make for great, cost-efficient backup lights
Better Duty Lights are just that, better:
- They will get you through your shift without fully draining the battery
- They deliver substantial beam strength and throw
- Might include adjustable power modes to increase run time or increase brightness and beam throw
- Should provide up to five years of reliable use
The Best Duty Lights deliver premium performance:
- They will get you through your shift without fully draining the battery
- They deliver exceptional beam strength and throw
- Should include adjustable power modes to increase run time or increase brightness and beam throw
- Might include safety and security modes like “strobe” mode
- Typically built from aircraft-grade materials
- Have lots of available aftermarket accessories to choose from
- Could provide reliable service for your entire career
A quick rundown on the most important things to consider when choosing a duty light:
Run Time
First Responders use their flashlights a lot. It’s arguably the most heavily used piece of equipment that they carry. It’s critical that their light can power through an entire shift without replacing the batteries.
Run times can vary, and a user can improve variable performance according to their batteries. Most manufacturers measure specifications on a recommended power supply that provides peak performance. Your light might function with several different power options, but the run time may suffer.
Beam Strength and Brightness
Brightness is important, but more important is the “throw” of the beam, the distance that the beam of light is cast. 200 to 300 yards out. It can vary, depending on the purpose. The “throw” is usually measured in Candelas, and some manufacturers also include an estimated distance in the specifications.
On brightness, Chris explains “Some manufacturers will tout that their lights produce 20,000 lumens. But what they don’t tell you is that you can get 20,000 lumens for about 20 seconds before the power source is fully drained.” Choosing the best combination of Candelas, Lumens and Run Time is a delicate balance.
Batteries and Chargers
Rechargeable flashlights have become the standard. They’re simply cheaper to run than using disposable batteries. Rechargeables have been around for a long time now, and they just keep getting better. For the most part, rechargeable batteries have surpassed their disposable counterparts in performance.
The latest trend is the convenience of USB charging. This eliminates the need for special charging cords and cradles, which are often brand-specific or even unique to a particular model. USB chargers are more universal. Cords are usually interchangeable with other electronic devices and are easily replaced if needed.
Service Life
A cost-efficient duty light can last up to a couple of years. Compare that to some of the more premium options, which can be reasonably expected to last your entire career, and then some, with a little bit of maintenance.
Minimal maintenance should be expected, with occasional replacement of batteries (even rechargeables degrade) and possibly replacing an LED bulb. LED bulbs can potentially last the lifetime of the light, but they can be damaged from hard use. Switches can also sometimes wear out. Depending on the make and model, the switch might be replaceable.
When it comes to outfitting an agency quickly, Inventory and availability matter. It doesn’t matter how good a product is if the customer can’t get it. Galls has developed special partnerships with key vendors to assure that your agency’s needs are met, in record time.
Contact us at 866.673.7643 to find out how Galls can solve your procurement challenges today.